"Shrek 2"

Yes, it's for the kids, but this animated sequel may be one of the most mature movies about adult relationships ever made.

By Stephanie Zacharek

May 19, 2004 | Forget rescuing princesses from fire-breathing dragons. Everyone who has ever tried it knows that marriage (official or un-) is the most dangerous adventure known to man- and womankind. Every year, millions attempt it, and millions of others flee from it in remorse and defeat. So while I suppose there are children out there who are excited about the prospect of "Shrek 2," my hunch is that, by and large, it's really their parents who are brimming with curiosity about the fate of the cantankerously likable ogre Shrek and his new bride, Princess Fiona, now that the pair face the grim, thankless task of attempting to live happily ever after.

Is it going too far out on a beanstalk to say that "Shrek 2" is one of the most mature movies about adult relationships ever made? At the very least, I think it's accurate to say that among movies aimed primarily at children, "Shrek 2" is redolent of a specifically adult wistfulness -- it's a happy picture, but one that's nonetheless aware of the sometimes uncomfortable stretching and contorting that two people have to endure when they attempt to build a life together.

"Shrek 2" may also be the first animated feature about, among other things, the unpredictability of sexual attraction. If the message of the first "Shrek" was the wearisomely threadbare "Real beauty is on the inside," the message of "Shrek 2" is the significantly more complicated "You probably don't realize it, but the chubby, pimply kid who picks his nose in homeroom may quite possibly grow up to be much better in the sack, and a nicer guy, than the Troy Donahue look-alike everybody swoons over." "Shrek 2" never suggests we should ignore good character in favor of animal attraction. But just as significantly, it acknowledges that people (and ogres) aren't just walking compendia of noble inner virtues. Looks do matter to us -- it's only when we get hung up on the conventions of good looks that we get into trouble. Fat or thin, conventionally pretty or not, flesh-toned or green: "Shrek 2" believes in the erotic possibilities of everyone.

"Shrek 2" opens with the honeymoon of Shrek (voice provided by Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz): They've rented a gingerbread house by the sea, and they roll around on the shore, "From Here to Eternity"-style, enjoying each other in a way that's NC-17 in spirit if not in explicitness. ("Shrek 2" is, incidentally, rated a relatively chaste and child-friendly PG.) Shrek and Fiona share luxurious mud baths together, giggling cheerfully if one of them should pass gas. (Like its predecessor, "Shrek 2" has its share of fart and poo jokes; my favorite touch is the magic-potion bottle marked with the incongruous legend "Toadstool Softener.")

But Shrek and Fiona's fairy tale-honeymoon happiness can't last forever. After they return to their ogre hut, ready to start their everyday life together, they receive an invitation from Fiona's mother and father, the king and queen of Far Far Away (played by John Cleese and Julie Andrews). The king and queen have not met Fiona's husband, and they want to throw a wedding ball in honor of the couple. So Shrek and Fiona travel to the kingdom -- with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) making loud, loud lip-smacking noises in the back seat of their carriage all the way -- only to discover that Fiona's parents couldn't be more disapproving of Shrek.

Next page: "Shrek 2" is no "Bambi"